Wits Radio Academy THE SCIENCE INSIDE

THE SCIENCE INSIDE

The Science Inside is a weekly show that goes inside the science of major news events. We take a news story each week - from a missing plane to the world cup - and dissect the science angles involved. We indulge every scientific discipline, from biology to psychology, and incorporate the insights of scientists, journalists and researchers in order to tell interesting radio stories.

The Science Inside is presented by Bridget Lepere.
Production by Bridget Lepere.
Technical production by Kutlwano Gwinch Serame.

The show airs on Voice of Wits every Monday at 7pm.
Weekly English South Africa Science
72 Episodes
44 – 64

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Medical Practitioners & Negligence

There have been over 20 000 serious adverse events reported in public hospitals in Gauteng over the last two and a half years. Dr. Elize Archer, head of the Clinical Skills Centre at the University of Stellenbosch, unpacks some of the factors that influence negative hospital experiences. In Unscience this…
21 Aug 2018 57 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Shakira Choonara

Our Feature Scientist this month is Dr. Shakira Choonara. She is the obesity prevention coordinator for South Africa at the Global Advocacy Incubator and a young leader, researcher and activist at the forefront of public health. She holds several accolades including being part of the first class of Obama Foundation…
6 Aug 2018 49 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Alzheimer's Nasal Spray

Imagine a nasal spray that is able to help treat Alzheimer's disease. As hard as it is to believe, this new technology has been developed by Professor Stefan Weiss of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the University of Witwatersrand. Debbie Beech of Alzheimer’s South Africa explains what this will mean…
30 Jul 2018 46 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - World's Oldest Colour

Recently the world's oldest colour was discovered, so we explore how our eyes and brain work together to help us perceive different shades. We speak to Casha Meintjies, an optometrist, and founder of Eyetek Optometrists. In Unscience, a research study finds out what ever happened to those 'cool kids' back…
24 Jul 2018 1 hour

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Meerkat

Following the launch of the MeerKAT radio telescope, SKA SA Chief Scientist Dr Fernando Camilo explains what it means for South Africa and the world. In Unscience we find out about unusual ways to kill a cockroach. Later, the link between African people and the stars is explored with author…
17 Jul 2018 57 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Sports and Nutrition

Tennis star Serena Williams recently opened up about her breastfeeding and eating choices as an elite sportswoman. We explore the interplay between fitness and nutrition with Arista Nienaber, a lecturer at the North-West University Potchefstroom campus. In Unscience, left handed people have been found to process emotions in different brain…
10 Jul 2018 52 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Mental Health

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Month this July we discuss how mental illnesses function within support systems with clinical psychologist Liane Lurie. In Unscience, find out if brain scans should be used in the law. Later, is it science or fiction that there could be tiny worms in your…
3 Jul 2018 55 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Cash in Transit

A recent spike in cash in transit heists has us speaking to Dr. Hendrik Lochner from UNISA and Zero Foundation Africa's Benedict Weaver about the tech behind this. In Unscience, find out whether men are more likely to take risks when crossing the road. Later, we question the science behind…
26 Jun 2018 52 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - African Baobab Tree

The iconic African baobab tree can live up to several thousands of years, but recently there’s been an increase in the trees dying. Stephan Woodborne is the senior accelerator mass spectrometry scientist at iThemba Labs in Johannesburg and explains how they found this out. In Unscience this week, is it…
19 Jun 2018 54 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Fossil Discovery

The recent fossil discovery of two new species of tetrapods in South Africa reveals that the evolution of fish to land animals could have taken place differently than previously thought. We hear from Dr. Robert Gess and Professor Per Ahlberg. In Unscience, hear how sleep paralysis and hallucinations affect student…
12 Jun 2018 47 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Allergies

Recently TV and radio personality Relebogile Mabotja went into anaphylactic shock after eating a salad that contained nuts. We take a closer look at allergies with pediatrician and allergologist, Dr. Claudia Gray. In Unscience, find out how a boiled egg can now be unboiled. Our scientist behind the science is…
29 May 2018 51 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE- Aspen

Following the opening of a large pharmaceutical facility, we go through the long and expensive process of developing a medicine from idea to shelf. Our guests are Dr. Nicola Lister, Chief Scientific Officer at Novartis Southern Africa, Professor Kelly Chibale, Chair in Drug Development and Department of Chemistry at the…
22 May 2018 54 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Shamba The Lion

A video of Shamba the lion attacking the man who raised him has gone viral. We speak to Dr. Kelly Marnewick from the Endangered Wildlife Trust and others about wild animals in captivity. In Unscience we ask what will happen when our sun dies. As cardiovascular diseases continues to be…
15 May 2018 52 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Burn Awareness

In light of Burns Awareness Month we unpack how plastic surgery can treat these scars. Listen to Dr Wayne Kleintjies as he unpacks this treatment. In Unscience, brown widow spiders are ready to die for love and have Ben Ten tendencies. Later on, we speak to Dr Sudhakar Muniyasamy, who…
8 May 2018 54 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Shot Hole Borer

A tiny beetle is threatening the life of Johannesburg's trees. Hear from the people working on this, Prof Wilhelm de Beer and Neil Hill. In Unscience we find out how a bug might be the answer to the world's plastic problem. Our scientist behind the science, Professor Mandeep Kaur, explains…
2 May 2018 49 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Unpacking Rabies

A recent rise in cases of rabies makes us look at this disease that can harm both animals and humans. We speak to University of Pretoria’s Professor Andrew Leisewitz. In Unscience, sleeping too little could lead to health problems and a shorter life span. We speak to Dr. Nolwazi Nombona…
24 Apr 2018 49 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Data Security

Facebook's recent data scandal has us rethinking our data security online. We find out about the ethics and policies in data mining from Dr Vukosi Marivate from the CSIR. In Unscience, who thinks they are smarter - men or women? Later we speak to the scientist behind the science with…
17 Apr 2018 51 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Plastic Bottles

A recent study accused Coca-Cola and other brands of having levels of microplastics in their bottled drinking water. We find out how this could happen and what it does to our bodies with Bettina Genthe from the University of Pretoria and Douw Steyn from Plastics SA. In Unscience this week,…
10 Apr 2018 54 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Family Day

It's Family Day on the show. Your family's genes may be why you hate coriander leaves. If you're hoping to start a family, Dr Mohamed Iqbal Cassim from the BioArt fertility centre says trends in fertility have changed. In Unscience, there is a reason why you might have the sensation…
3 Apr 2018 52 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Meat

We find out what happens to contaminated meat, such as the products recalled after the recent Listeria outbreak. We hear from food control experts and microbiologists, Dr. Juno Thomas, the head of Enteric Diseases at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and Dr. Lucia Anelich. In this week’s Unscience, find…
27 Mar 2018 52 min
44 – 64